Tough Enough To Talk About It

Tough Enough To Talk About It program logo

Mental health and suicide prevention, built for the workplace.

Program Mission & Workplace Support

Tough Enough To Talk About It brings mental health and suicide prevention into the workplace, with deep roots in the skilled trades. The program grew out of RCSP’s earlier Men at Risk initiative and was rebranded in 2016, expanding through a pioneering collaboration with NAIT’s School of Skilled Trades to support mental health conversations on the job.

See the Program in Action

A closer look at why workplace mental health matters, and what the Tough Enough To Talk About It program looks like on the ground.

Program History

From concept to impact. What began as a local response to a gap in Northern Alberta has grown into a program delivered across Canada and licensed internationally.

  • 1999 — Local agencies collaborate in Northern Alberta, creating Men at Risk.
  • 2006 — The program expands provincially with standardized resources and mentorship.
  • 2008 — An independent evaluation by Meyers Norris Penny LLP confirms the program’s impact.
  • 2014 — Men at Risk receives the Canadian Champions of Mental Health Award in Halifax.
  • 2016 — Rebranded as Tough Enough To Talk About It. A partnership with NAIT launches the Train-the-Trainer program, adding 15 facilitators.
  • 2020 — Virtual workplace presentations and seminars launch.
  • 2023 — A second evaluation is led by Dr. Connie Korpan; the program is licensed internationally with 17 facilitators in the U.S.
  • 2024 — The inaugural Canadian Oil & Gas Mental Health Summit is held in Grande Prairie, AB.
  • 2025 — A second Summit is held in Fort McMurray; a partnership with CDN Controls strengthens cross-border mental health training.

Training Opportunities

Practical mental health training built for real workplaces — job sites, shops, offices and the field. Designed for trades, oil & gas, and agriculture, where high-risk work, long hours and isolation take a toll.

Workplace Presentation

A 90-minute facilitated presentation that builds understanding and confidence in:

  • Understanding mental health, potential decline, and workplace stressors
  • Recognizing warning signs in co-workers
  • How to check in, listen, and find help
  • The employee’s role in building a supportive workplace culture

Tough Leaders

A 4-hour session that builds awareness, skills and confidence for supporting workplace mental health. Purpose-built for trades, industry and energy, covering:

  • Mental health basics — fundamentals, early intervention, and reducing stigma
  • Workplace pressures — stress, declining mental health, and suicide
  • Communication skills — checking in, listening, and navigating tough conversations
  • Leadership actions — knowing when to step in, guiding others, preparing and following up
  • Culture change — promoting open dialogue and healthier workplaces

Field Training Program

Train and empower your own employees to deliver the Tough Enough program — consistent, high-quality facilitation on your schedule, when and where it works best for your organization.

  • Cost-effective — eliminate per-session fees and external facilitation
  • Internal delivery by trusted staff — trained staff deliver sessions with trust and consistency
  • Flexible scheduling — run workshops at times that suit your teams and projects
  • 24/7 access to program materials — on-demand facilitation resources, videos and training guides
  • Direct support — ongoing mentoring and facilitation guidance
  • All updates and revisions included
  • Seamless content delivery — consistent training across offices and worksites

Not sure which option fits your workplace? Book a 30-minute consultation with our team and we’ll talk through what would work best for your people and your schedule.

Program Booklet

Our Champions

Tough Enough To Talk About It is made possible by the organizations who sponsor, fund and champion this work in their own industries.

ConocoPhillips
NAIT — A Leading Polytechnic
CDN Controls
ARC Resources Ltd.
Thatchwood Ventures
City of Grande Prairie, Canada
County of Grande Prairie No. 1, Alberta, Canada

Latest News

A man with grey hair and glasses speaking and gesturing during a group discussion around a table

Group Facilitation Workshop with Trish Smith

We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming Group Facilitation Workshop taking place on June 16 from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Join us to build confidence and strengthen your group facilitation skills in this engaging one-day workshop — lunch included! Participants will explore practical approaches to leading meaningful and inclusive group experiences across a variety of settings. Through interactive discussions, reflection, and hands-on activities, attendees will deepen their understanding of group dynamics, leadership styles, trauma-informed practice, co-facilitation, and effective strategies for responding to challenging behaviours with confidence and compassion.

Thatchwood Ventures Ltd. and Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention logos with Tough Enough To Talk About It, over a photo of a semi truck cab

Thatchwood Ventures invests with the Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention

Thatchwood Ventures invests with the Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention to drive mental health awareness and suicide prevention across Alberta’s leading economic sectors Grande Prairie, AB. March 31, 2026 – Thatchwood Ventures is proud to announce its investment in the Tough Enough to Talk About It program, a leading mental health and suicide‑prevention initiative serving Alberta’s core industries. This partnership reflects Thatchwood Ventures’ commitment to strengthening the wellbeing of the people who keep Alberta’s economy moving, particularly those working in transportation, energy, agriculture, and other high‑demand sectors.

Two yellow hard hats resting on a set of construction blueprints

Energizing Change: $350k Grant Powers Mental Health Research in Trades and Energy

A new research project led by Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP) aims to improve mental health outcomes for workers in Alberta’s trades and energy sectors, thanks to more than $350,000 in federal funding. NWP researcher and psychology instructor, Dr. Connie Korpan, is collaborating with the Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention (RCSP) on a three-year project focused on psychological health and safety in high-risk, high-stress industries. Dr. Vanessa Sheane, NWP President and CEO, says, whether through physical or mental skills,  “Northwestern Polytechnic remains firmly committed to supporting the industries and people that drive our region.

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